Certified professional boxing instructor Noel Clubb divides his time between MMA World Academy/Clubb Canada (Amateur & Professional Boxing) located in Scarborough, Ontario, where he is currently building a competitive boxing team, instructing technical boxing classes and providing personal training. Noel also instructs at Pound 4 Pound MMA, at both locations in Markham and Pickering, Ontario.

BRADLEY VS PROVODNIKOV

Clubb: On Saturday night at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California, Timothy Bradley faced off against Ruslan Provodnikov in what was Bradley’s first WBO welterweight title defense. In the first round, Bradley was rewarded a slip by referee Pat Russell on what was a first round knockdown by Provodnikov, showing some shades of the Pacquiao fight, from nine months ago.

Timothy Bradley is knocked down by Ruslan Provodnikov in the first round.

In the first and second rounds, were won by the challenger, Provodnikov. In fact Bradley was in trouble again in the second round when Provodnikov landed a hard left to Bradley’s chin that drove Bradley back into the ropes and his legs wobbling.

In the third round, Provodniko was less aggressive and in fact, he gave up the round to Bradley. He was under a steady barrage of Bradley jabs that kept him off balance and unable to do much. Bradley won the third round.

It was in the sixth round when Bradley found himself in some trouble again. However, Provodnikov was not able to finish the champion when he had the opportunity to do so. Provodnikov demonstrated good aggression, and pressure, however, Provodnikov could not drop and finish Bradley.

In the end, Bradley won the decision, however, it was a narrow decision. Judges Marty Denkin and Jerry Cantu gave Bradley a 114-113 score for Bradley and Raul Caiz Sr. scored it 115-112.

Bradley’s record improves to 30-0, while Provodnikov fell to 22- 2..

Punch statistics showed Bradley landed 347 punches to Provodnikov’s harder and more punishing 218, with a 129-32 edge in jabs.

After the bout, Bradley told Provodnikov “Win or lose, you were a warrior.”

Bradley also stated after the bout that he suffered a concussion early on. “I am still dizzy,” he said. “He’s going to be a world champion one day. He is a strong puncher who can step into his punches.”

“I deserved to win, I deserved to win,” Provodnikov said. “This should have not been left to the judges.”

Bradley will have a tough time holding on to the WBO welterweight title. He is not the dominating fighter that can reign for the long haul.